128 - Longines - Observatory Caliber

Longines - Observatory Caliber (*) A fine, heavy, and large deck chronometer in a wooden case, accompanied by an excerpt from the chronometer archives by Andreas Hidding and an excerpt from the Geneva Observatory’s chronometer register from 1930 Movm. No. 2971458, Cal. 26.99, Dimensions 68 mm, circa 1913, Weight 241 g, Origin: Switzerland Case: Base metal, tiered, with a glass-covered movement. Dial: Enamel. Movement: Bridge movement, lever escapement, Guillaume gold-screw-compensated balance, blued Breguet balance spring with two terminal curves by Phillips. This Longines chronometer movement participated in the 1920 Neuchâtel Observatory chronometer competition “Chronomètres de Poche 1re Classe” and, with a mean daily rate deviation of 0.17 seconds, achieved a score of A=13.70 points, placing 97th out of 162 chronometers in its category. In 1930, it successfully participated in the Geneva Observatory competition. The regulator in both cases was David Perret of St-Imier. Caliber 26.99 exists in one version as a bridge movement and in another with a central bridge, and it is reserved exclusively for use in observatory competitions. While LONGINES initially sought to obtain a coveted bulletin primarily for commercial reasons, the company’s approach to the competitions shifted in the early 1920s toward a performance-driven participation, aiming for prizes and records that could bolster the marketing of its commercial products. As a result, Caliber 26.99 remained exclusively within the regulation department, which submitted it to the observatory trials. Due to the movement’s larger dimensions, both the Guillaume balance and the mainspring barrel were enlarged accordingly. However, entries in Neuchâtel are limited and focus mainly on the years 1924 and 1925. In Geneva, the caliber was entered until 1929. Source: ChronoHype Magazine No. 16 Case: very good. Dial: very good. Movement: very good, in working order, cleaning recommended.